Unemployed High School Grad Streamer Lee Ha-yan (2)
Unemployed High School Grad Streamer Lee Ha-yan (2)
I scoop up a spoonful of the rice Ha-eun made and put it in my mouth.
"Is it tasty?"
"Yeah. It's good."
"I'm glad. Eat the rolled omelet too. This one and this one."
"I can't eat it all..."
My younger sister who is even good at cooking.
Is there anything she can't do? I feel like she was pretty normal when we were younger.
At some point, she suddenly started to shine and revealed herself to the world.
She took an interest in idols, which she never cared about before, and even balanced studying and exercising on top of that.
When did she change, exactly...? Was it right after I turned into a woman?
I wonder if that's the reason, but I never asked in detail, so I still don't know.
As I was chewing the rice in my mouth, I could feel my sister's gaze on me.
"...Why."
"Hmm~. Nothing. You look cute when you eat, unnie. Haah. How are you so cute, unnie?"
"...I'm not really cute."
"Hehe. Yeah. You're not cute, unnie. So just stay in front of me, okay?"
"Mm."
I didn't really answer and just kept eating. I've already gotten used to my sister's obsession, so I've half-given up.
Anyway, the food is good. You have to give her credit for her cooking.
I only know how to make ramen.
And even that is cup ramen...
But it's fine. There are people who live long lives on cup ramen, and I've never heard of anyone dying just from eating ramen.
It's okay if I can't cook.
'...I'm useless.'
I feel gloomy and down, but the food is so good that I keep eating.
She's my younger sister, but she's just too good at everything.
I grumble to myself and continue my meal.
Just as I put the rolled omelet in my mouth.
Ji-iing-.
The phone I left on the table vibrated.
What is it? There's no one who would contact me. Is it spam...
I lazily grab the phone and check the message; it was a text from my landlord.
The content wasn't anything special. They said this month's rent hasn't come in yet.
'Ah. Right. Rent...'
I had forgotten. Or rather, it was something I had been trying to put off.
...My allowance for this month hasn't come in yet.
For someone like me who uses my parents' allowance to cover rent, living expenses, and everything else, this was a bit of a predicament.
The allowance hasn't come in yet. So, the rent has no choice but to be late.
...Should I tell my parents? Ask if I can get my allowance sooner? No, wouldn't that make me look like a brat...
Ever since I turned into a woman, I've been keeping my relationship and contact with my parents to a minimum, so I've been overthinking things.
What do I do. It seems like my parents forgot about the allowance. ...Not that it's my parents' fault. Just.
Just. I'm just a useless piece of trash who can't even say a single word about not being able to pay rent.
Ah. Here comes the mental breakdown...
'...Maybe a short-term part-time job.'
No. How could I meet people? It's hard enough just going outside.
As I look at the text with a troubled expression, Ha-eun tilts her head.
"Why? Is something wrong?"
"Ah, yeah... just. It's nothing."
"Give me your phone."
"I told you it's nothing."
"Hurry."
"Uh, here..."
As I carefully hand over the phone, Ha-eun looks at it and nods vaguely.
"Rent?"
"Yeah..."
I lowered my head. I could see the half-finished rice. Suddenly, I didn't want to eat anymore.
Still, I have to eat...
"Looks like Dad forgot. Wait. Then have you been living without an allowance for a week?"
"...Yeah. Well..."
"So that's why you've only been eating cup ramen. Ugh! This won't do. I have to say something about this. How dare they starve my unnie?"
"No, I didn't starve..."
I let out a small sigh at my sister's quick hand movements as she sent a text. Ha-eun will probably visit our parents' house soon.
Even if I try to stop her, she won't listen.
I just let it be.
"Ugh. This won't do. Unnie. From now on, I'll give you your allowance. Without fail."
"Hmm?"
"I have a lot of money~. Actually, I'm probably richer than Mom and Dad, right?"
"Well... I guess so...?"
My younger sister Ha-eun is already someone with solid recognition among youth in the country.
So she must have earned quite a lot of money.
...Still, getting an allowance from my younger sister is a bit.
"And from now on, I'll pay the rent too. It's too much for you to have to cover living expenses and rent on your own, unnie!"
"No, my parents are still thinking about me, so..."
"No? Even if they're my parents, I can't forgive them for this."
My sister, saying such unfilial things right in front of her unnie.
What should I do about this? Is it okay for an idol to be like this...
"So don't worry, unnie, and just eat a lot. Your sister will take care of everything else."
"...My dignity as an unnie..."
"Hm? What was that? Dignity? What's that?"
Seeing her smiling face, I dropped my head again. I scoop up a spoonful of rice and put it in my mouth.
The rice is delicious. Haha...
While I was dithering, Ha-eun had already paid the rent for me.
It was quick since my phone was still with my sister.
"If you need money in the future, tell me. Your sister will send you everything. And I put some allowance in, so use it however you want, unnie."
"It weighs on my heart to use my sister's money..."
I got my phone back and checked my account. ...Somehow, the allowance I was getting from my parents had tripled.
...I can't use it. I absolutely can't use it. It's too much...
When I looked at her with a burdened expression, I still saw that smiling face. A face that said, 'I refuse your refusal.'
This time, I let out a deep breath and put my phone in my pocket.
"...Sometimes I think you're not in your right mind."
"Should I take that as a compliment? More than that, isn't the rice not enough? Do you want more? There's more rice."
"...I'm full."
I was full in a different sense. I feel bloated...
Evening.
"Ah~. I don't want to go..."
I said while stroking the head of my sister, who was clinging to my pajama pants.
"You said you were going out. You have to make it back by curfew."
"I'm an adult! Why do I have a curfew!"
"You're an idol... isn't that company policy...?"
"That may be, but... Huing. I want to be with you more, unnie."
"We can see each other next time."
"...I should just quit this damn idol gig."
She's saying dangerous things... She worked so hard to become an idol.
Ha-eun stood up, hugged me tightly, and then pulled away. Sending me a gaze overflowing with regret.
"I'm going... Eat well. Don't just eat cup ramen."
"...Nagging."
"I have to nag so you'll move, unnie!"
"...I got it."
My sister put on her shoes, mask, and sunglasses. Looking at her like this, she really is a celebrity.
In contrast, the creature called 'unnie' is stuck in her room doing internet broadcasts.
How can our lives be so different.
Ha-eun reaches out and touches my cheek.
"...If you're sick, call me no matter what. I'll come running immediately."
"What would I be sick for."
"You are sick. You, unnie."
The hand that was touching my cheek moves down to stroke my arm. Gently.
Carefully avoiding the scars.
"...I'm not sick. Not anymore."
"Don't bluff. Promise me."
"...I got it."
"Yeah. Promise."
My sister pulled down her mask for a moment, kissed my forehead, and pulled away with a slight smile.
"I'll text you when I arrive, unnie. Love you~."
"...Be careful on your way."
I rub my forehead and wave goodbye.
I watch the front door open and close for a moment before heading into my room.
As soon as I sat in my chair, my phone rang, and a text came in.
[Ha-eun: Should I just kidnap you...?]
...I didn't bother answering.
10 PM.
Earlier than I thought. ...That applies to people who do dawn broadcasts.
I turned on the broadcast earlier than usual today.
The reason is just because I was bored. I have nothing to do.
Well... there aren't that many people watching, either. Only about 30 people.
Still, communicating with those people was the only joy I had.
"Ah... Hello."
-Yan-ha (Hello Ha-yan)
-Hi Ha-yan~
-Yan is here?
-Yan-ha
-Beer, fried chicken, and Ha-yan—if this isn't sex, then what is lol
As soon as the broadcast started, 30 viewers flocked in as if they had been waiting.
What is there to see on my broadcast that they flock here like this...
Still, I was grateful that they even came.
"Fried chicken and beer... sounds delicious..."
I pull my legs up and hug them. I rest my chin on my knees and look at the chat window.
"Is it tasty?"
-Yeah, it's delicious hehe
-Kick that bastard out, you fucking bitch...
-Ah, I should order chicken too
-I'm gonna order too
"...Everyone is having chicken and beer. Well, it is Friday today, after all. ...Should I order too."
-Go for it, let's eat together
-Where are you going to order from, Ha-yan?
-Order boneless, Ha-yan's mouth is small so it's hard to eat bone-in
-How do you know that
-That's how Ha-yan is in my imagination, yeah
-You crazy bastard lololol
Other streamers don't like it when viewers socialize among themselves.
So there are places that ban socializing, and places that ban it entirely.
However, I didn't do that. I just thought it was fine if the viewers were having fun.
I don't think there's a need to stop it.
...I should use the money Ha-eun gave me... right?
She gave it to me to use, so? I guess so? ...It's okay to be a slightly bad unnie, right...?
It's an allowance. Yeah. ...Still, it's burdensome.
I ordered chicken on a delivery app. Since I can't drink alcohol, I ordered the default option, a Zero Coke.
"I ordered too. Fried boneless."
-Whoa, yeah yeah, we should all eat together
-You fucking bastards... I'm ordering too, just wait
-Tomorrow is the weekend, it's the weekend
-Ha-yan has good taste
-Fried boneless is the truth
[An anonymous donor has donated 50,000 won.]
You... clueless... viewer bastards... can't even... buy Ha-yan... chicken... you trashy old-man-vibe bastards...
"...Uh... Th-thank... you..."
-Ah, fuck lolololol
-No no no, Ha-yan, who told you to spend money
-Wait, charging up my donation balance
-The donation message is so f***ing lololol... smells like an old man
-We should be feeding Ha-yan brand chicken, what are you guys doing
...Huh. This wasn't the purpose of turning on the broadcast...
I said in a hurried voice.
"Ah, no, everyone, please calm down for a second..."
Of course... my voice was buried by the donations that came crashing in after that.
...I'm getting properly scolded today. With money...
By my sister and my viewers.